Oman developer Blue City Company 1 (BCC1) has appointed Thomson, Perrett and Lobb (TPL) to design the first course on its Al Madina A’Zarqa project.

Al Madina A’Zarqa is the most significant real estate infrastructure project in the Sultanate of Oman, and, at Phase 1, will include the TPL golf course, a gated golf community, a clubhouse, restaurants and other ancillary amenities to compliment the varied styles of high quality residences and hotels to be constructed. The balanced development will be situated in a natural environment of expansive views and extensive open space.

Located on a natural peninsula 60 minutes from Muscat, Al Madina A’Zarqa (previously known as The Blue City) is a 32 sq km waterfront city being built along 16 km of shoreline adjacent to the Gulf of Oman.

BCC1 chief executive Richard Russell said: “We wish to create a dream course for golfers of all skill levels and we are very pleased to be working with such a prestigious and globally recognised. We are building a new city; to ultimately become an integral component of the continued visionary economic development of the Sultanate of Oman.”

In its design, TPL plans to capitalise on the unique location of the course, sitting as it does adjacent to the Indian Ocean and the Al Khor. Principal Tim Lobb said: “Al Madina A’Zarqa is the most exciting and unique development in Oman, if not the Middle East. We are extremely impressed by the potential of the golf course for the city, Oman and the Gulf. It is very appealing to be able to play a part in the development of this pioneering project, we can assure you, this golf course will become the focus of attention to the international golfers of all levels who knows what he is looking for.”

In future phases the project will be expanded to include an additional 18-hole course, a golf academy and equestrian facilities.